2-Year Term for CRA Chief to Be Studied

The board of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency is scheduled today to consider a two-year contract extension for interim administrator Jerry Scharlin, who has begun a major reorganization of the agency since he was hired in July.

In a report to be voted on at a special meeting today, Board President Peggy Moore proposes that Scharlin be paid $175,000 annually, plus benefits, to head the Community Redevelopment Agency. The new contract represents a substantial raise from his current $78,000, six-month contract.

“We felt this is simply not the time to change administrators,” said board member Keith Richman, who concurred with Moore about the recommended extension.

Scharlin, an Encino resident who previously worked as a management consultant, has begun a reorganization of the financially troubled agency which included removal of two top administrators and restructuring of the budget to allow the city to prioritize project areas.

“We need to continue to have Jerry in the position of administrator so we can continue to move forward with his programs,” Richman said.